"ED should register case against BJP": Atishi on electoral bonds

New Delhi [India], April 15 (ANI): Attacking Bharatiya Janata Party, Delhi Minister Atishi said that BJP accepted taking donations from companies that were "blacklisted" and "under CBI, ED scanner" and demanded the Enforcement Directorate to register a case against him.
She also attacked the BJP government over the income tax freezing the accounts of the Congress party.
Speaking to ANI, Atishi said, "Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi accepted that he took money from the corrupt, because his party needs donations to contest elections. Today, he accepted that he had to take Rs 55 crore from liquor trader Sarath Chandra Reddy. He accepted that he had to take Rs 2000 crores from companies that were under the scanner of CBI, ED, and Income Tax."
"Today's interview is a straight confession that for contesting elections, he took donations from liquor traders, blacklisted companies, and companies under scanner. Based on this interview only, I think ED should register a case against PM Modi and BJP," he added.
She further slammed the BJP, accusing it of "misusing" central agencies and amending Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
"The way, ED and CBI are being used as political tools has never happened in a country's history. After the Supreme Court struck down Section 45 of PMLA, BJP brought it from the back channel using a money bill, so it wasn't even presented in Rajya Sabha. Two sitting CMs -- Hemant Soren and Arvind Kejriwal -- were arrested on false ED charges. Using income tax, the accounts of a principle opposition party were frozen. All this has happened under PM Modi. So much so, that Germany, the US and the United Nations are raising concern about India's democracy," she further said.

Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema also attacked the BJP and accused the party of 'destroying' the country.
"PM Modi is seeking his third term and asking the public to elect him again. But, in the last 10 years, the BJP has destroyed the country. How ED, CBI have been misused and after starting cases, leaders were inducted in the BJP. Out of 25 leaders, on whom cases were lodged, 23 were taken into BJP. With electoral bonds too, ED cases were started against companies and then donations were taken from them. It is like extortion," he said.

Maharashtra Congress leader Nana Patole attacked the BJP and said that the party has no right to criticise the Gandhi family.
"You (Modi) came to power by saying you are the son of a poor. But, under your tenure, you only worked for the rich. Adani is your biggest beneficiary. Your intention is very clear. The Gandhi family always worked for the people of the country. Congress has made the nation stand on its feet...you have only sold this country. So they don't have any right to comment on Gandhi family," he said.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi, in an interview with ANI, accused the opposition parties of "spreading lies" over the electoral bonds scheme, which has been struck down by the Supreme Court, and said "everyone will regret it when there is an honest reflection.".
He said the scheme should also be viewed as a success story, as it has allowed the trail to show who has made contributions to political parties through the scheme. He also said there is a lot of scope for improvement in the scheme.
The Prime Minister added that the country has been pushed towards "black money" in elections and everyone will regret it. (ANI)